Barbie has landed

This weekend Little E had a sleepover with her lovely older cousins. We gained an extra member of the family when she returned. A borrowed Barbie.

And this is not just any Barbie. It is a naked Barbie (sorry, not naked, she is wearing high heeled shoes) with past waist length blonde hair which has a glittery purple stripe in it. Little E has clutched this Barbie for dear life ever since she got back and it has even been taken to bed. When I asked her why Barbie has no clothes I was told she didn’t need any. I disagree as it is nearly November.

The offending Barbie...

In principle I have no problem with Barbie. Growing up I had a whole host of Barbie and Cindy dolls paired with their respective Ken and Paul husbands (often partaking in some innocent doll husband swapping of an afternoon). I had the dream house complete with lift and soft top car and even the horse and horse-box for when Barbie was in an equestrian mood. So Barbie was a big part of my childhood and I have no plans on banning Barbie from Little E.

But (here it comes, you knew there was a but coming) she is only two. And have you seen Barbie lately? Were her dresses always that short and was her mid-drift always bare? Don’t even get me started on the size of her chest... She looks so weird in the hands of a two year old, especially as Little E refuses to dress her. Clearly the juxtaposition of such overt sexuality next to my innocent two year old is too much for my motherly brain to comprehend and I just don’t like it.

Husband said I needed to get Little E her own Barbie from the shops yesterday so there are no repercussions when the borrowed Barbie returns to her rightful owner. I did try but I failed miserably. I could not bring myself to purchase this harlot of the toy shop. I opted instead for a Steffi doll which looked slightly more modest wearing a high neckline, no stomach on show, Minnie Mouse motif dress. Plus her lipstick was more bubblegum pink than scarlet rouge.  Little E didn’t seem quite so animated to be presented with this ‘Barbie’ but once I covertly removed the original naked doll from her peripheral vision she was quite content with the replacement. I was immediately less troubled by the presence of this doll in our home so, for now, everyone is happy.

---